Metal-on-Metal Hip Lawsuits

DANGEROUS DRUG AND PRODUCT LAWYERS – METAL HIP REPLACEMENTS

With the multiple advances of medicine, people are able to receive better and longer lasting care. This includes having joints implanted, such as a hip replacement. In 2010, there were a total of 326,100 hip replacements completed for people of all ages in the U.S, according to the Centers for Disease Control. When an individual receives a hip implant, they expect this medical product to last 15 – 20 or more years for a better quality of life. This isn’t always the case, especially with dangerous products available to consumers. That’s where a metal hip lawsuit comes into play.

If you or a loved one received a hip implant, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and other related losses. To find out if you qualify, contact our attorneys for a free consultation today.

What is a Hip Replacement?

A total hip replacement is when “the damaged bone and cartilage is removed and replaced with prosthetic components.” All hip replacements consist of a ball (made from a strong metal or ceramic material) and a socket (made from plastic, polyethylene, ceramic and metal materials).

Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Complications

Metal-on-metal hip replacements were expected to last longer and be a more stable option. However, a huge complication with this type of hip implant is that the metal ball and cup slide against each other when an individual walks or runs, which causes debris particles to enter the body and bloodstream from the metal components rubbing together – this causes individuals to have a condition by the name of metallosis. This complication causes damage to the bone and tissue around the implant and joint. The damage results in adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR), or adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD).

Sensitivity in the form of a skin rash indicating an allergic reaction

In addition to the symptoms listed above, people who have received metal-on-metal hip implants should pay attention to any possible metal poisoning symptoms. These include:

Cardiomyopathy

Neurological changes

Psychological changes

Renal impairment

Thyroid dysfunction

Metal hip implants can also cause corrosion at an early stage, show signs of implant fracture a month after surgery, and result in hip failure and a need for revision surgery.

Stryker Rejuvenate and AGB II Implants

The Stryker Rejuvenate and AGB II models were supposed to be the next generation of hip replacement with several neck and stern components, as opposed to the one-piece neck and stem seen in other models. This unique design was supposed to offer people a better range of motion, greater stability, and less bone stress. However, what people actually received was a higher rate of failure in the products due to a defective product.

Complications stemmed from the metal products rubbing together. In these hip implants, the chromium or cobalt necks rubbed against the titanium coating found on the stem. This caused metal particles to enter the body and bloodstream of thousands of people. It also led to potential fretting and corrosion issues.

In June 2012, Stryker voluntarily recalled these two products and advised individuals who received these products to have a follow-up appointment with their doctors to have their blood checked for metal ion levels. Stryker also covered the cost of revision surgeries to fix the implant if they caused a complication.

Stryker Accolade and V40 LFIT Hip Implants

Stryker Orthopaedic’s dangerous products didn’t end with the Rejuvenate and AGB II Implants. The company’s most recent set of defective products includes the Accolade V40, also known as the Stryker LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40. This Hip contains a cobalt and chromium alloy femoral head that is used in conjunction with modular hip implants including the Accolade TMZF, Accolade 2 Stems, Meridian Stems, Citation Stems, for hip replacement surgery.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on November 9, 2016 reported that Stryker was recalling the V40 hip replacement heads. These products, created prior to 2011, had a high taper lock failure for numerous catalog numbers of these femoral heads. Letters were sent out to health care professionals telling that this specific product was recalled and asking to quarantine the affected devices.

These hip replacement products could cause the following harmful symptoms:

Metal poisoning from metal debris entering the body

Deteriorating tissue

Loosening of the hip replacement

The femoral head dislocating from the hip stem

Other damage making the product ineffective

Contact the Attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter Today

If you or a loved one received one of these defective Stryker hips, then you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain suffered or other loss endured. Call today at 216-285-9991 or fill out an online form for a free consultation. Our Cleveland attorneys are ready to hear your case and advise you on your next steps. We can also arrange weekend and evening appointments, and we can come to you.

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